A relic of the Cold War. That’s the Ilyushin Il-62 B-2028. Right here in Beijing’s World Park.
This magnificent aircraft isn’t just a plane. It’s a piece of living history. The Ilyushin Il-62 B-2028 holds a special place in China’s aviation annals. One of five purchased from the Soviet Union in 1971. It entered service in 1972. Imagine the excitement. The anticipation of a new era in air travel for China.
But the B-2028 is more than just a mode of transportation. This particular plane carried Deng Xiaoping to the United Nations in 1974. A pivotal moment. A defining trip in modern Chinese history. He delivered a significant speech at the General Assembly. A speech still remembered and celebrated in China today. Think of the weight of history held within this metal shell. The stories whispered by its rivets.
This impressive machine is a testament to Soviet engineering. A long-range narrow-body airliner. When new it was the world’s largest jet airliner. It boasted a capacity of 200 passengers and crew. Its unique three-isle-three seating configuration must have been quite something.
But perhaps the most interesting fact is its engine placement. Four Soloviev D-30KU turbofan engines. Two on each side of the rear fuselage. No engines under the wings or at the tail. A unique design. This gave the B-2028 a cruise speed of 900 km/h. It could reach a service ceiling of 12,000 meters. Impressive even by today’s standards.
It’s a big plane. 53.12 meters long. 12.35 meters high. With a wingspan of 43.2 meters. Imagine walking underneath its massive fuselage. Feeling the sheer scale. The engineering prowess. It truly is an impressive machine.
Next to the Ilyushin Il-62 stand two Beijing BJ130 airplane-ladder vehicles. Painted in the colors of CAAC Airlines. Blue body. Blue and white cabin. White ladder. These served Beijing Capital Airport from the 1970s into the late 1980s. These sturdy vehicles helped countless passengers board and disembark. A silent partner to the giant airliner.
The B-2028’s story doesn’t end there. After its retirement it found a new home in Beijing World Park. A unique setting for such a historical artifact. This aircraft stands frozen in time. A reminder of a bygone era of aviation. A testament to progress and international relations. A true piece of history. This is the Ilyushin Il-62 B-2028. A silent witness to the changing world.